2001 BMW M3 CONVERTIBLE air condition

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
The BMW Maintenance System has
been designed as a reliable means of
providing maximum driving and oper-
ating safety – and as cost-effectively as
possible for you.
Please keep in mind that regular main-
tenance is not only necessary for the
safety of your vehicle, but also plays a
significant role in maintaining the resale
value of the vehicle. Service Interval DisplayAdvanced technology is employed to
calculate the optimal maintenance
intervals. These are then indicated in
the Service Interval Display. While
conventional systems rely solely on
distance traveled to determine when
service is due, the BMW Maintenance
System considers the actual conditions
under which the vehicle operates,
because miles can be traveled in many
different ways:
From the point of view of maintenance,
for example, 62,000 miles (100,000 km)
short-distance driving are not equal to
the same 62,000 miles (100,000 km) of
long-distance travel.
The BMW Maintenance System
includes the Engine Oil Service and
Inspections I and II.
Determining the maintenance intervals
according to the actual use of the
vehicle covers every kind of operating
situation. Those who are outright
"Sunday drivers," driving fewer than
6,000 miles (10,000 km) per year –
should, nevertheless have their oil
changed every 2 years at the most, no
matter what the Service Interval Display
indicates, since engine oil breaks down
over time, regardless of use. Service and Warranty Information
Booklet (US models)/Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet (Cana-
dian models)For additional information on required
maintenance intervals and procedures,
please refer to the Service and Warranty Information Booklet
(US models), or the Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet (Canadian
models).
As a precaution against rust, it is advis-
able to have the body checked for
damage from rocks or gravel at the
same time, depending upon operating
conditions.
Have your BMW center perform
maintenance and repair.
Your BMW center is always informed on
the latest maintenance work and repair
techniques and equipped with the
required special tools. In addition,
checking parts known from experience
to be subject to wear is a permanent
part of the maintenance specifications.
Be sure that all maintenance work is
confirmed in the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet (US models), or in
the Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet (Canadian models). These
entries are your verification for the
regular maintenance of your vehicle
and are required for the performance of
warranty repairs.<
The BMW Maintenance System

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Caring for your vehicleExterior finish To provide effective corrosion protec-
tion, multilayer paintwork is applied at
the factory. Cataphoretic immersion
priming techniques are supplemented
with special body-cavity protectants
and application of specially developed
and extensively tested materials.
A layer of flexible PVC is first applied to
the undercarriage. Following this, a
comprehensive undercoating treat-
ment with a wax-based protectant is
applied. Regular maintenance makes
an important contribution to maintaining
the safety and value of your vehicle.
Increasing awareness of the effects of
harmful environmental factors on
vehicle finishes have led paint and
vehicle manufacturers to initiate
ongoing programs designed to further
improve the durability of their finishes.
Despite this, regional environmental
factors can have negative effects on
your vehicle's finish. Consider these
factors in determining the frequency
and extent of your efforts to maintain
the vehicle finish.
Depending upon material and type of
impact (perforation of paint layer), phys-
ical stresses from sand, road salt,
gravel, etc., can cause corrosion to start extending beneath the finish,
starting at the point of impact.
Road dirt, tar spots, dead insects,
animal droppings (strong alkali effect)
and tree excretions (resins and pollen)
all contain substances capable of
causing damage when allowed to
remain on the finish of your vehicle for
any period of time. This includes spots,
etching, flaking, and separations in the
top coat.
In industrial areas, deposits of flue dust,
lime, oily soot, precipitation containing
sulfur-dioxide (acid rain) and other envi-
ronmental pollutants will damage the
vehicle's finish unless adequate care is
provided – even though this is generally
limited to the outside horizontal
surfaces.
In coastal regions, high levels of atmo-
spheric salt and humidity promote
corrosion.
In tropical zones, high humidity and
heavy ultraviolet radiation prevail, in
addition to temperatures of over 105 7
(+40 6) in the shade. Under these
conditions, light paints can reach
temperatures up to 175 7 (+80 6) and
dark ones up to 250 7 (+120 6).
Caring for the vehicle finish Regular washing is a preventive
measure against long-term effects from
substances that are harmful to the
vehicle's finish, especially if you drive
your vehicle in areas with high levels of
air pollution or aggressive natural
substances (tree resins, pollen).
Nevertheless, you should immediately
remove especially aggressive
substances. Failure to do so can lead to
changes in the paint's chemical struc-
ture or to discoloration. Gasoline spilled
during refueling, oil, grease and brake
fluid should always be cleaned away
immediately, as should bird droppings.
Any contamination remaining on the
surface of the vehicle will be especially
conspicuous after washing. Use
cleaning fluid or alcohol with a clean
cloth or cotton pad to remove these
stains. Remove tar spots with tar
remover. After cleaning, the affected
areas should be waxed to ensure
continued protection.
Use the cleaning and car-care
products available at your BMW
center.<

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Battery Installation locationThe battery is located at the rear right of
the luggage compartment. Raise the
luggage compartment floor panel (refer
to page 41). Using a screwdriver or coin
and a f turn, release and pull off both
caps as shown in the illustration.
Remove the storage tray.
Battery posts, terminals, and
related accessories contain lead
and lead compounds. Wash hands after
handling.<
Charge conditionYou can read the charge condition of
the battery with the "Magic Eye
*" (a
hydrometer):
>Green: adequate charge.
>Black: not adequately charged. The
battery must be recharged. Please
contact your BMW center for addi-
tional information.
>Yellow: replace the battery.
The service life specified for the
battery can be achieved only if it is
always kept adequately charged. If the
vehicle is primarily used for stop-and-
go traffic, be sure to check the charge
state often.<
Battery careThe battery is completely maintenance-
free. That means that the original elec-
trolyte will normally last for the service
life of the battery under moderate
climatic conditions.
For all questions that regard the
battery, please consult your BMW
center. Since the battery is absolutely
maintenance-free, the following is for
your information only.<

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Interior rearview mirror with automatic dimming feature The interior rearview mirror with auto-
matic dimming feature reduces glare
from following traffic by adapting the
intensity of the reflected images to
correspond to levels of light registered
by the unit's sensors. The mirror reverts
to its undimmed setting as soon as the
light source disappears. One lamp
sensor is mounted on the front of the
mirror housing. This sensor, which is
directed forward, measures light inten-
sity in the area ahead of the vehicle.
The second sensor is integrated within
the mirror's glass. The electronic
control system compares the light
intensity from front and rear. The differ-
ence provides the basic parameter
used to modulate an electrical current
and induce chemical changes in a
semisolid layer incorporated in the lens.
The semisolid reacts chemically to this
electrical current, thus providing
dimming of the mirror through an infi-
nitely-variable range (electrochromic
technology).
As a result, it is no longer necessary to
dim the mirror manually, and the driver
can concentrate completely on traffic
conditions.

174n
Xenon lamps
*
The xenon lamps provide forward illu-
mination with significantly more bright-
ness and uniformity than the traditional
halogen lamps.
In a xenon lamp, an electric arc
replaces the filament in order to
generate intense illumination. A gas
mixture in a quartz glass tube with
metal vapor is ignited by a high electric
voltage. The arc that is generated is
then sustained by a lower voltage.
When the lamp is turned on there is a
brief period of high intensity. Maximum
brightness is attained in approx.
15 seconds.
Xenon lamps provide significantly
improved visibility, especially during
adverse weather conditions and difficult
driving situations (e. g. driving at night in
heavy rain or through road repair areas
where there are no lane markers).
Xenon lamps make a significant contri-
bution to highway safety since other
highway users, bicyclists and motorcy-
clists in the right lane, and pedestrians
are more easily detected.

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Rollover protection systemThe rollover protection system offers
protection in addition to the airbags and
the safety belts. It uses highly sensitive
sensors that respond immediately to
any unstable vehicle condition encoun-
tered while driving, e. g. a steep angle
or loss of wheel contact with the
ground. The protective bar in each rear
head restraint is triggered in this type of
situation.

Everything from A to ZAABS (Antilock Brake
System)21, 106
Acceleration181
Accessories6
Activated-charcoal filter92
replacing161t
Adding
brake fluid125t, 130t
coolant129t
engine oil127t
washer fluid126t, 181
Adjusting
clock76
head restraints50
interior temperature90
steering wheel55
thigh support area49
Adjusting seats
lumbar support49
Air conditioner91
Air distribution,
automatic90
Air outlets88
Air pressure115
Air supply91
recirculated air mode91
vents91
Airbags61, 139, 168
warning lamp21, 22Alarm system42
avoiding unintentional
alarms43
indicator lamp43
interior motion sensor42
tilt sensor alarm
system42
Alcantara care136
Antenna112
Antenna, Diversity169
Antifreeze129
radiator110
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)21, 106
Anti-theft alarm system42
Anti-theft protection33
Approved wheel and tire
specifications120
Aquaplaning105, 115
Armrest95
Ashtray
front96
rear97
AUC (Automatic recirculated
air control)91
Automatic climate
control88
Automatic cruise
control71
Automatic recirculated air
control (AUC)91Automatic windshield
washer70
Auxiliary terminal for jump-
starting125t
Average fuel
consumption78
Average speed78
Axle loads180
BBackrest
releasing51
Backup lamps68
replacing bulb149t
Battery157, 182
add distilled water157t
capacity182
charging159t
current check lamp20
removal and
installation158
symbols158
Belts57
Beverage holder95
BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oils128
BMW Maintenance
System131
BMW Sports seat49
Bore178Bottle holder, refer to
Beverage holder
Brake system20, 109
ABS21t, 106
brake faults109t
brake fluid change75
brake fluid level, warning
lamp20, 109
brake lamp, center151
brake lamps, replacing
bulb149t
brake pads, indicator
lamp22, 109
disc brakes108
driving notes105
warning lamp20, 109
Break-in procedure104
Bulbs and lamps146
CCalifornia Proposition
65 Warning141
Can holder, refer to
Beverage holder
Capacities181
Car battery182
Car Memory55
Car radio112
reception113, 169
refer also to the separate
Owner's Manual

Everything from A to Z
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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
SSafety belt tensioner170
Safety belts57
seat-integrated safety
belts (SGS)51
Safety buttons38
Safety defects, reporting7
Seat heating93
Seat memory54
Seat-integrated safety belts
(SGS)51
Seats, adjusting48
Service and Warranty
Information Booklet131
Service Interval
Display75, 131
Service Manual131
Side airbags61
Side impact61
Side marker lamps84
lamp malfunction147t
Side turn signals, bulb
replacement148t
Ski bag98
Snow chains110, 119, 120
Socket97
Spark plugs182
Speaker96
Special features of winter
tires119
Speedometer18Sport mode
identification83
Sports seat49
Starting
problems67t, 105
Starting the engine66
Steering112
Steering lock66
Steering wheel
adjusting55
refer also to Multifunction
steering wheel (MFL)24
Stopping the vehicle67
Storage compartments95
Storing your vehicle140
Stowing cargo100
Stroke178
Summer tires118, 120
Sun visors53
Surface ice warning77
Switching off the engine67
Symbols, used4
Synthetic oils128
TTachometer73
Tail lamps149
replacing bulbs149t
Tank capacity181
Technical data178
Technical
modifications6, 141Telephone hookup96
Temperature display
ice warning77
interior temperature90
outside temperature77
Temperature gauge
engine coolant74
Temperature layering92
Tilt alarm36, 43
remote control36
Tire
codes118, 120
condition115
damage115t
failure, repairing153
inflation pressure28, 115
pressure monitor81
pressure
specifications28
replacement116
rotation117
summer117
treads115
wear indicator115
winter117
Tire and wheel
specifications120
Tire Pressure Warning
(RDW)81
indicator lamp22
Tire Quality Grading116
Tires and wheels118Tools146t
Torque178
Tow fittings165t
Towing eyelets165
Towing the vehicle165t
Track179
Traction Control System
refer to DSC80
Transmission68
Transporting children
safely58
Tread depth, tire115
Trip odometer73
Trunk, refer to luggage
compartment40
Turn signal indicator23, 69
bulb replacement148t
Turning radius179
Two-way radios112
UUniform Tire Quality
Grading116
Used batteries,
disposal159t
Used engine oil,
disposal128tVVacuum cleaner97
Vehicle battery157